Honorary degree 2026: Paul Esposito to be honoured for community support and generosity

Neighbour, friend, donor. Paul Esposito Sr has been many things to the University of the Fraser Valley over the years, and on June 10 he’ll add honorary degree recipient to that list.

Paul is being honored for decades of philanthropy and support of community causes in Abbotsford and around BC. Included in that generosity was the largest family donation that UFV has received to date: $1.125 million in 2018 to advance innovation, entrepreneurship, and scholarships at the university. The funding led to the creation of the UFV Esposito Family Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (EFCIE).

Building K on the Abbotsford campus is another legacy connecting Paul to the university. In 2018, UFV bought the former Phoenix restaurant and Finnegan’s pub from the Esposito family, transforming it into classrooms, a spectacular event space, and home to two research centres, including the one that bears his name.

It was the original Finnegan’s pub that started the friendship between Paul and people at UFV back in 1987. Paul was branching out from his construction business by opening a pub and thought the piece of land next to the new Fraser Valley College Abbotsford campus was an ideal location.

“I remember the very early days when I was building Finnegan’s pub, getting a neighbourly welcome from Kartar Thandi of Facilities through the chain-link construction fence,” Paul recalls.

It was the beginning of a long and mutually beneficial relationship. Finnegan’s was the unofficial hospitality centre of what was then known as Fraser Valley College. Paul hired students as employees, and encouraged employees to become students.

It was a second home to many, including international and aviation students who had travelled far from home to attend university.

“I became a ‘den father’ to many of them,” Paul recalls. “When their parents were visiting, they would bring them in to meet me.”

The late Peter Jones, UFV’s third president, was a regular on Sundays, coming in for a dark English stout and bangers and mash, reflecting his British heritage.

Finnegan’s, known affectionately and unofficially as ‘Building F’ to many, was a social hangout and popular lunch and dinner spot for several generations of students and employees, as well as the general public. Over the years it expanded to include King’s Crossing conference centre and a small hotel, which the university made use of for hosting events.

The original pub and conference centre was burned down by an arsonist in 2005. The Espositos rebuilt and opened the new Finnegan’s and the Phoenix restaurant in 2009, and the UFV population was once again a key part of the customer base.

“As the university grew, so did we,” recalls Paul. “We had a lot of support from the faculty, staff, and students, and appreciated the administration using our facilities for special events. It was the epitome of a good-neighbour relationship. We have always believed in supporting our community, so it seems fitting our former property continues to provide a benefit to the community.”

Speaking of community, Paul’s generosity in Abbotsford and in British Columbia has taken many forms. He supported sports teams, the Special Olympics, the BC Summer Games, the Abbotsford Hospice Society, Rotary, the Crystal Gala, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation, and the BC Cancer Society. He has been recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow by the local Rotary Club.

Retired UFV criminal justice professor Darryl Plecas shared a story about Paul’s behind-the-scenes generosity, recalling a time when he bought 75 pairs of running shoes for students at a local elementary school, and when regularly shipped containers of clothing to Mother Teresa’s mission in India.

Paul is the son of Italian immigrants. The family moved to Trail, British Columbia when he was young, one of 11 children. He credits his success to hard work and perseverance.

Looking back at a photo of himself as a four-year-old with his father soon after immigrating, Paul sees a young boy inspired by both of his parents.

“I got my positive spirit from my mother and strength from my dad. Looking at that photo, I’m still in short pants, but I’ve got my boots on, ready to work!”

Paul started working in a grocery store at age 13 in Trail, BC, and earned enough money to attend the University of Victoria. After finishing university, he became an educator and enjoyed finding ways to bring out the best in each of his students. Having an entrepreneurial spirit, he started to renovate and build houses. This eventually led to him leaving his teaching job and starting a successful career in the construction industry, which continues today.

Paul has been recognized for his accomplishments in the business world by the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board, and the Abbotsford News. He is honoured and delighted to have his community service and philanthropy highlighted through an honorary degree from UFV.

“It’s very humbling, and I’m digesting the news,” he says. “But it is a great honour.”

Photos of Paul Esposito